North Central: Neighborhood or Family Community?

Ernie’s Uppercuts, on 25^th and Lehigh, is home to several male barbers, but there is one little lady running the show, the queen bee, if you will. Toni Cubes, 23, of North Philadelphia is a hard worker and a mother of two. She is a hairdresser at Ernie’s Uppercuts. “I love working here,” she explains.

“When you work here it’s like a family, it’s not just random,” Cubes continued. The number of people circulating in and out of the barbershop is astonishing. Each person who walks in is not only welcomed with open arms, but is familiar with all of the employees.

Cubes has two sons, Andre, 6, and Quasim, 4. Andre attends Overbrook Elementary in West Philadelphia while Quasim attends Kid’s Academy in West Philadelphia. She describes North Philadelphia as the perfect place to raise her kids, who are the number one priority in her life. “I love North Philadelphia,” Cubes says, “ It is very family oriented.”

At work that day Cubes discusses Halloween plans with her co-workers. She has plans to take her sons out trick-or-treating and coordinating their costumes. “Andre and I are going to be Batman and Cat woman, Quasim had to throw everything off by being Jason from Friday the 13^th instead of Robin.” In a neighborhood with people as friendly as this, trick-or-treating should be candy in the bag. However, with Quasim throwing off the complimenting costumes, their evening should be interesting as they go door-to-door.

By Natalie Santoro and Lauren Hubbard

North Central

Group 26